Primary sources, as described by the Library of Congress, "are the raw materials of history — original documents and objects that were created at the time under study. They are different from secondary sources, accounts that retell, analyze, or interpret events, usually at a distance of time or place. Bringing young people into close contact with these unique, often profoundly personal documents and objects can give them a sense of what it was like to be alive during a long-past era. Helping … [Read more...]
Timely Connections: Worldwide Health Crisis
As the world confronts global health problems such as epidemics or pandemics, involve your students in an authentic lesson that looks at past primary sources to increase understanding of health related issues. Encourage students to use past and current information and digital tools to research, make informed decisions and contribute to their own and their community’s health information. This lesson idea, which also includes guiding questions, a curated set of historical primary sources, … [Read more...]
Today in History: Columbia University
Today in History–July 17–the Library of Congress features Columbia University, first opened as King's College in New York on this day in 1754. There were quite a few influential men among its first students and trustees, including Gouverneur Morris, a primary author of the Constitution; Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Paper author and the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury; and John Jay, the nation's first Chief Justice and also an author of the Federalist Papers. Learn more about this … [Read more...]
Today in History: New York City’s Finest
Today in History–June 1–the Library of Congress features the New York City police department, whose annual parade was filmed on this day in 1899. Learn more about "New York City's Finest" by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to discover primary sources about police officers in New York City and other places. Films Police Parade. New York, New York. Thomas A. Edison, Inc. June 1, 1899. New York Harbor Police Boat. New York, New York. Thomas A. Edison, … [Read more...]
Today in History: Transcontinental Railroad Completed
Today in History–May 10–the Library of Congress features the U.S. transcontinental railroad, celebrated on this day in 1869 when a symbolic golden spike was driven into the ground at Promontory Summit, in Utah Territory—approximately thirty-five miles away from Promontory Point, the site where the rails of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific were joined. This railroad connected the United States from coast to coast, reducing a four-month journey to just one week. Learn more by visiting … [Read more...]